US Navy says RAN’s new Destroyers strengthen a close friendship

United States Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral John Richardson, (left)salutes Australia's Federation Guard with Chief of the Navy Australia, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, RAN, at Russell Offices in Canberra.

The United States Chief of Naval Operations has ended his visit to Australia, praising the Royal Australian Navy for its regional leadership and complimenting Navy for its game-changing new capabilities.

US Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Admiral John Richardson, was in Canberra earlier this month for a day of high level talks on maritime security issues.

Hosted by the RAN’s Chief of Navy, VADM Mike Noonan, CNO met with a range of senior leaders, including Chief of Defence Force, the Secretary of Defence and the Secretary of Prime Minister and Cabinet. CN and CNO also spent time discussing emerging regional issues at the National Security College, ending the day the day with a wreath laying ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in honour of Australian and US personnel who have given their lives fighting for a common cause.

ADM Richardson says the RAN remains a key partner both globally as well as in the Asia Pacific region.

“There is probably no closer partnership that we have, particularly as we think about maintaining a free and open Pacific,” CNO said.

“We had a lot of discussions about the dynamic nature of the maritime domain around the world.

“The South Pacific and Indo-Pacific is changing as fast as anywhere and so we really just have to stay on our toes and be responsible to that changing dynamic.”

ADM Richardson also heaped praise on Navy’s growing fleet of Destroyers with HMAS Brisbane (III) becoming the second Hobart Class Guided Missile Destroyer to be commissioned late last month and HMAS Hobart (III) currently undergoing weapons testing off the US west coast.

“These ships are a prime example of exactly how interoperable we are,” ADM Richardson said.

“They are literally at the very highest end of naval capability, integrated together and it doesn’t get any closer than that.

“It takes it up to the very art form of naval manoeuvre, naval operations and naval warfare.”

VADM Noonan said his discussions with CNO provided further evidence of the enduring nature of the RAN’s relationship with the US Navy and the importance of interoperability for both nations.

“We are working in a very complimentary way with both the US and other allies and partners,” CN said.

“We will have the ability to have an even greater presence in our region as our new capabilities come on line.”